Looking for the best places to visit in July in USA? These are the places you want to travel to this month.

Summer is in full swing! If you’re planning a trip this month, we’re here to help. Want to visit places that are only open a couple of months out of the year? Want to see wildflowers? We got you! We spent many hours cross-referencing our travel experiences with the most optimal weather, special events, natural phenomena, and travel deals to bring you the best places to visit in the US this July.

best place to visit usa in july

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Last Updated: July 2, 2023

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15 Best Places to Visit in July IN USA

1. Portland, Oregon →

7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97218, map

Weather Avg: 80° / 57° F

When we lived in Portland, we told everyone to only visit during July and August. It’s the most glorious summer you can experience after a brutally gloomy and rainy rest of the year. The city celebrates the beautiful weather with festivals and events happening throughout the month, and you can catch the Portland Rose Festival.

See More: Ultimate Portland Bucket List

2. Crater Lake National Park in July →

Crater Lake National Park, Rim Village, OR 97604, map

Weather Avg: 70° / 42° F

We visited Crater Lake in late May and didn’t realize how much of the park would be closed due to snow. All roads in Crater Lake National Park are typically fully open by mid-July, although this always depends on snowfall and other weather-related factors. Most of the year, only portions of the park are open. In July, you can enjoy the nice weather with fewer crowds since it’s one of the least visited National Parks in the US.

See More: The Ultimate Guide to Crater Lake National Park

Things to Do at Crater Lake National Park

3. Oregon Coast, Oregon →

Weather Avg: 66° / 52° F

Can you tell that we have a soft spot for the PNW during the summer? Cannon Beach is a beautiful, touristy town in Oregon known for its iconic Haystack Rock. The weather in July is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the tide pools. If you want a quieter and less touristy pace of travel, locals like to go to Manzanita.

See More: Your Ultimate Oregon Coast Road Trip – All the Best Stops

4. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah – Annual Geology Festival →

UT-63, Bryce Canyon City, UT 84764, map

Weather Avg: 80° / 48° F

July is a great time to visit Bryce Canyon. Even though it’s summer, Bryce is still one of the underrated national parks and doesn’t get the insane crowds that Zion does. In addition, they hold an annual Geology Festival every July, so if you like to nerd over rocks, join in on the festivities and talks.

See More: 15 Amazing Things to DO in Bryce Canyon National Park

5. Glacier National Park, Montana →

Logan’s Pass Visitor Center, Browning, MT 59417, map

Weather Avg: 75° / 44° F

People call Glacier National Park the Switzerland of America, with scenic views of glaciers, lakes, and mountains. We visited in late June, and some trails were still closed. If you want to ensure that Going to the Sun Road and hiking trails are all open, July and August are the best times to visit. The main road won’t be fully accessible until late June.

See More: 9 Incredible Things to Do in Glacier National Park

Top Glacier National Park Hikes + 9 Incredible Things to do in Glacier National Park

6. Seattle, Washington →

701 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, map

Weather Avg: 73° / 56° F

Seattle also has a very similar climate to Portland and is beautiful in July and August. The weather is warm and sunny (finally!), and you’ll find several festivals and events throughout the month. Whenever we visit, we either go in July/August or in September/October if we plan to add a climbing trip to Leavenworth.

Local Tip: Don’t forget your rain jacket.

See More: 101 Things to Do in Seattle WA

7. Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304, map

Weather Avg: 81° / 64° F

July is the perfect time to enjoy Indiana Dunes National Park’s beaches. The warm sun is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, and more. In addition to that, it’s wildflower season making the park pop with color. To make your visit extra special, check out one of the ranger-led programs.

See More: 15 Spectacular Day Trips from Chicago IL

Indiana Dunes Beach

8. Kings Canyon National Park, California →

83918 CA-180, Grant Grove Village, CA 93633, map

Weather Avg: 71° / 33° F

July offers some of the best weather to visit Kings Canyon National Park. It’s an ideal time for hiking, backpacking, camping, and viewing wildlife. As the snow melts, vegetation flourishes and brings out the animals.

See More: 11 Breathtaking Canyons in the US You Can’t Miss

boyden cavern kings canyon

9. Olympic National Park, Washington →

3002 Mt Angeles Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362, map

Weather Avg: 62° / 44° F

July is the peak wildflower season in Olympic National Park. The alpine meadows burst with vibrant colors, and the weather is also lovely for exploring the coast. It’s also one of the best times to go camping and backpacking in the park.

Local Tip: It’s always smart to have a raincoat with you just in case.

See More: 4 Things to Do in Olympic National Park Washington

10. Sequoia National Park, California →

47050 Generals Hwy, Three Rivers, CA 93271, map

Weather Avg: 63° / 32° F

July is the most popular time to visit Sequoia National Park, and for good reason. The weather is perfect for exploring the trails, and the skies are clear, making it a great time to admire the massive trees. It’s also peak wildflower season! Just be sure to book campgrounds and reservations early since it’s so busy.

See More: 11 Most Beautiful Trees int he World to Put On Your BUcket List

11. Vail, Colorado

241 South Frontage Rd. #8150, Vail CO, 81657, map

Weather Avg: 77° / 42° F

Although Vail is known as a world-famous ski town, if you come during July, the wildflowers are typically in peak bloom. We went in late June, and we saw some flowers starting to bloom and wished we timed our trip a couple of weeks later. The weather is mild all summer, so it’s perfect for hiking, biking, climbing, and other outdoor activities. You can also find better travel and hotel deals than during winter, although visiting in the summer is also gaining popularity.

shrine pass colorado wildflowers

12. Chicago, Illinois – Pitchfork Music Festival

301 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616, map

Weather Avg: 82° / 70° F

July is a great time to enjoy the outdoors in Chicago, including the city’s beaches, parks, trails, and some great festivals and events. If you don’t plan on attending any events, avoid those weekends since prices will be steeper then.

Chicago Illinois + 101 USA Places to Visit

13. Lake Tahoe, California / Nevada

169 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449, map

Weather Avg: 80° / 50° F

July is the warmest month to visit Tahoe if you’re going more for the lake activities vs. winter sports. It’s a great time to enjoy the trails and the water. Since the water stays cold year-round, summer is the perfect time to cool off in the crystal clear lake.

Bonsai Rock Lake Tahoe + 101 Things to See in Nevada

14. Seward, Alaska →

2001 Seward Hwy, Seward, AK 99664, map

Weather Avg: 62° F / 50° F

August is ideal for visiting Seward (when we went), but July is the runner-up. The weather is mild and pleasant for outdoor activities. You also get exceptionally long days (the sun remains visible nearly 24 hours a day), so the only limitation to your adventures is how much energy you have. There are also excellent salmon fishing opportunities!

See More: 9 Breathtaking Things to Do in Seward Alaska

15. Acadia National Park, Maine →

25 Visitor Center Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, map

Weather Avg: 76° / 55° F

If you don’t care about leaf peeping, July is the best combination of weather and activities in Acadia National Park. You can hike the trails, kayak on the beautiful waters, swim, and more. Although it’s the busiest month in the park, you can avoid the crowds by getting on some of the longer trails.

See More: 15 Breathtaking Things to Do in Acadia National Park

Map of the Best Places to Visit in July in the US

More Places to Visit in July USA Edition

  • Anchorage, Alaska
  • Boston, MA – Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
  • Chincoteague, VA – Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival
  • New York City, NY – Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks
  • San Juan Islands, WA
  • Traverse City, MI

Coolest Destinations in July in the US

The coolest states in July are Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming.

The coolest cities (in the continental US) based on average temperatures are:

Major Festivals and Holidays All Over the US

What do we celebrate in July in the USA? Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, is the main one.

  • Independence Day / Fourth of July (July 4th)
  • Parents’ Day (fourth Sunday)
  • National Ice Cream Day (July 17th)
  • National Hot Dog Day (July 23rd)

Is there anywhere we missed on our list of best places to visit in July in USA?

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Esther and Jacob

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.

The post 15 Best Places to Visit in July in USA 2023 appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.

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